Al Rayyan's Yacine Brahimi (centre) celebrating with team-mates after scoring their winning goal against Al Shahania yesterday.
Even after the penultimate stage, just a single point separates table toppers Al Duhail and former champions Al Rayyan as the fight for the coveted QNB Stars League (QSL) Falcon Shield between the two heavyweights goes into the final round.
Both Al Duhail and Al Rayyan – in action yesterday at the same time – recorded victories against their respective opponents setting up a fitting conclusion to the season, which was resumed on July 24 after over a four-month break due to coronavirus pandemic.
At Al Sadd Stadium yesterday, Al Duhail managed to overcome Al Khor 1-0 to retain their one-point lead over Al Rayyan on top of the table with 49 points.
Al Rayyan pipped gutsy Al Shahania with an identical score-line at Al Janoub Stadium, and stayed second.
Yesterday’s results also confirmed new QSL champions, ending all hopes for defending champions Al Sadd (44 points), who will have to content with third position.
For Al Duhail, Abdullah Al Ahrak scored the winning goal in the 9th minute. The Red Knights, as expected, dominated the game from the beginning pushing back Al Khor in their fences.
The goal came after Ismail Mohammed dribbled the ball near the circle giving a cross to Qatari star Almoez Ali, who laid on the opener for Al Ahrak from a close range.
Al Duhail could have doubled the lead nine minutes later but Paulo Edmilson failed to deceive Al Khor goalkeeper Baba Djibril Kane, who dived on his right to save the 19th minute penalty.
The title-favourites also dominated the second half and made several attempts but were unable to score any further. Almoez came close with another cross from Ismail in the 82nd minute but Kane did well to deflect his push from a close range.
Al Khor remained 11th on the points table with 16 points following the defeat.
At Al Janoub Stadium, bottom-placed Al Shahania proved themselves a tough nut to crack as Al Rayyan, despite dominating in the match, were only able to score the winner in 84th minute.
Star Yacine Brahimi was their saviour again firing the winner from a spot kick after VAR detected a hand ball by an Al Shahania defender. Brahimi, now has 14 goals, making him one of the top contenders for the golden boot. Al Shahania didn’t recover from the goal and will stay on the bottom with 15 points.
Earlier yesterday, Al Gharafa – who are already guaranteed the fourth position – defeated Umm Salal 1-0 at the Al Janoub Stadium. Homam Elamin scored the all-important goal in the 71st minute as Al Gharafa moved on to 35 points, while Umm Salal remained 10th with 17 points.
Al Gharafa’s Ahmed Alaaeldin, Jonathan Kodjia and Homam had chances in the first half.
Al Gharafa’s Sofiane Hanni came off the bench in the 57th minute replacing Othman Al Yahri and earned a penalty four minutes later when he was fouled by Ayyoub Azzi, but the resultant kick, taken by Hanni himself, was blocked by Umm Salal goalkeeper Baba Malick.
Umm Salal’s first worthwhile opportunity came in the 65th minute, but Raul Bezerra headed the ball over the bar.
Al Gharafa surged ahead when Homam came up with a first-time, thunderous left-foot volley that beat goalkeeper Malick after he received the ball from a faulty headed clearance by Azzi off a cross from the right by Muad Hassan.
Umm Salal had a chance to level the score in the 83rd minute, but Fahd Khalfan hit the side-net.
